An evolution of the twin-engine Manchester bomber, the Avro Lancaster was the primary heavy bomber used by the Royal Air Force during the last three years of World War II. Powered by four Rolls-Royce Merlin XX V-12 engines, the Lancaster had impressive performance and excellent flying characteristics.
The Lancaster bomber could carry the heaviest bomb load of any Allied bomber during World War II. The standard bomb load was14,000 lbs. Modified versions of the bomber could carry the 12,000 lb Tallboy and massive 22,000 lb Grand Slam earthquake bombs, both designed by Barnes Wallis. Lancasters modified to carry the Upkeep bouncing bomb also carried out the famous Dambusters raid on the German Ruhr valley dams.
The Lancaster was primarily used during the nighttime bombing campaign waged by Bomber Command taking the war to the heart of Nazi Germany. Even though the bomber missions were flown under cover of night, they suffered heavy losses as the Luftwaffe developed more sophisticated night fighters and defense methods. many showed great courage in continuing to fly knowing the odds against survival were high. Bomber Command suffered the highest casualty rate of any branch of the British services during the war. On average Lancasters completed twenty-one missions before being lost.
This artwork depicts Avro Lancaster EE139 “Phantom Of The Ruhr” flying with 550 Squadron. This aircraft flew 121 missions and survived the war. The original bomber was scrapped in 1946.